my neighbors practice shooting guns all day long and my dog gets hysterical everytime he hears them. how can i help him? Answers at Dogster Answers.

Wed, May 9th 2012, 12:05 GMT

My brothers practise shooting sometimes and Skarlet used to be afraid of it too. Distracting her by training obedience worked quite well. No stays. Just heeling work, sits, downs, recalls, more sits and downs. She LOVES being trained though so it really helped her. Only use positive methods or you will make the fears worse. Lots of praise for calm obedience despite his fear and tons of treats.

ANSWERED BY

Skarlet

Mon, May 7th 2012, 20:19 GMT

Ask your vet if they recommend some kind of anti-anxiety drug to calm him and make him less anxious and over time he may learn not to be fearful or panicky about the noise. There are prescription drugs and supplements like theanine and melatonin that can help but please get your vets advice. Do not trsnquilize him. This will not calm him but just make him unable to respond at all but his feelings of fear and panic/phobia will just get worse over time. Remain calm when the noise does star up. Don't try to comfort or placate him and do not punish him or raise your voice to him as this will cause more anxiety. Teach him some obedience commands and when he startr the behavior try and distract him with commands and treat rewards.

ANSWERED BY Member 1109765

Mon, May 7th 2012, 14:13 GMT

Well, you can try asking politely if they could only do it every so often, or not as much because your dog is terrified of the guns. IF that doesnt go so well you can coax your dog and treat him anyday they shoot the guns or a special toy to give him during that time. Try distracting him from his anxiety and make it fun for him. There is also a vest it is called a thunder vest i think its for dogs that have anxiety and the vest just makes the dogs feel secure you can also try that as well.My grandmas dog was terrified of guns when ever my dad and uncles would sight in their guns but she wasnt horrible besides back then there wasnt much anybody could do...or at least that i could do.(i was very young) hope i helped.

ANSWERED BY

Carter